Category: Blog Stuff

I guess I plan on posting Monday through Friday to celebrate The Lily Garden turning two next week (on May 22nd).

Continue reading “Q+A for Upcoming 2nd Anniversary!” →

Today was my first day in which I actually started calling people as part of my regular duties at work.

I’m not a good public speaker under most circumstances so of course I was nervous. The fact that I would be calling financial advisors to let them know their client’s check had bounced, that their client had bought themselves into a debit which needed to be covered immediately, etc didn’t help. I saw my job as being a harbinger, a bearer of bad news and luck.

The very first financial advisor I ever called sensed that I was scared of offending him. My voice must have given me away. Either way, he asked why I was being so meek. I decided to be honest and to forgo being professional by admitting that this was my first call.

The man then proceeded to reassure me and claimed that the fact that I make phone calls to let financial reps know of issues which need to be resolved is a good thing. A godsend, he said, since that means I don’t have to guess at which positions to sell to cover outstanding debits and can let the reps and their clients decide such matters instead. He then added that reps who get upset at me making such phone calls don’t understand and that I should continue doing good work (and trust me, I’ve heard many a horror story about short-tempered reps who are outraged over any sort of slight inconvenience and take it out on us processors who merely act as the messagers).

I almost cried right then and there, with my mentor sitting right next to me. In fact, I’m crying now as I write this post. Hearing that what I’m doing is important and holds value, that I am by extension contributing to society by being useful – it’s been a long, long while since I’ve heard that. Maybe not in words since some of my readers are very supportive of what I write and I am eternally grateful for their kindness. But it’s been too long since I’ve heard an actual voice personally reassure me. I think I really needed this.

And so I just wanted to share this with you all, too.

Maybe sometimes you feel like what you’re doing is pointless or that no one cares about what you’re writing and saying. Well, I’m here to say that’s wrong. What you want to express has worth. YOU have worth. Don’t be afraid and don’t let fear hold you back. Be open, be honest. Just write how you truly feel and people will eventually notice. You’re doing great, okay? We’d be missing out if you kept things to yourself.

Anyways, felt like this should come out. It’s really not that moving or sentimental in words, unfortunately. But hopefully it at least slightly brightened your Monday.

Here’s to a wonderful rest of the week.